Pope Paul III, born Alessandro Farnese, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 13 October 1534 to his death, in November 1549.
The Diocese of Massa Marittima-Piombino is a Latin Church diocese of the Catholic Church in Tuscany, central Italy. It was known as Diocese of Massa Marittima before 1978. Up until 1458, it was a suffragan of the archdiocese of Pisa; since 1458, it has been a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Siena. The territory of the diocese includes the islands of Elba and Pianosa, and Capraia.
The April 1555 papal conclave was convoked after the death of Pope Julius III. Cardinals at the conclave generally grouped themselves into three major factions, according to their alignment with the French House of Valois, the Hapsburgs, or Italian states that remained independent of both major Catholic powers. After preparing a conclave capitulation that compelled whichever cardinal was elected pope to maintain neutrality in European wars, cardinals from the Holy Roman Empire joined in supporting the French faction's candidate, Cardinal Marcello Cervini. Cervini was elected Julius's successor, and chose to maintain his baptismal (birth) name as his papal name, becoming consecrated as Marcellus II.
The May 1555 papal conclave was convened on the death of Pope Marcellus II and elected Pope Paul IV as his successor.
Juan de Borja Lanzol de Romaní the Younger (1470–1500) was a Spanish Roman Catholic bishop and cardinal.
André d'Espinay was a French Roman Catholic bishop and cardinal.
Juan López was a Spanish Roman Catholic bishop and cardinal.
Bonifacio Ferrero (1476–1543) was an Italian Roman Catholic bishop and cardinal.
Cristoforo Giacobazzi was an Italian Roman Catholic bishop and cardinal.
Uberto Gambara (1489–1549) was an Italian Roman Catholic bishop and cardinal.
Bartolomeo Guidiccioni was an Italian Roman Catholic bishop and cardinal. He was one of the closest collaborators of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, both as Bishop of Parma and afterwards when he became Pope Paul III. He served the pope as Vicar of Rome, and Prefect of the Tribunal of the Signature of Justice, as well as a member of several ad hoc commissions of cardinals. He was Bishop of Teramo (1539–1542) and Bishop of Lucca (1546–1549). He was one of the organizers and leading officers of the Council of Trent.
Giacomo Savelli (1523–1587) was an Italian Roman Catholic cardinal and bishop. He participated in several papal conclaves and held several administrative positions in the Catholic Church during his 48 year career with the Church during the mid 16th century.
Francesco Sfondrati (1493–1550) was a professor of law at a series of Italian universities, and held important positions as a counselor of Emperor Charles V. He married Anna Visconti, with whom he had a number of children, one of which eventually became Pope Gregory XIV.
Durante Duranti was an Italian Roman Catholic bishop and cardinal.
Niccolò Ardinghelli (1502–1547) was an Italian Roman Catholic bishop and cardinal.
Girolamo Recanati Capodiferro was an Italian Roman Catholic bishop and cardinal.
Georges II d'Amboise (1488–1550) was a French Roman Catholic bishop and cardinal.
Girolamo Verallo (1497–1555) was an Italian Roman Catholic cardinal and papal diplomat.
Sebastiano Antonio Pighini was an Italian Roman Catholic bishop and cardinal.
Giorgio Andreasi (1467–1549) was a Roman Catholic prelate who served as Bishop of Reggio Emilia (1544–1549), Apostolic Nuncio to Venice (1540–1542), and Bishop of Chiusi (1538–1544).
